[Hiring] Regional Director @Spirit of America

Role Description

Spirit of America seeks an experienced, strategic leader to serve as our new Regional Director to lead our initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region in close cooperation and coordination with US military, diplomatic personnel, partner militaries, and civil society organizations. The Regional Director’s mission is to guide Spirit of America’s international operations throughout the Asia-Pacific, utilizing private philanthropic funds to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. The Regional Director will lead the design of a regional strategy to support US national security interests throughout the region and will supervise a small team of Program Managers in the design and implementation of lines of effort to support the strategy.

A Spirit of America Regional Director must have boots-on-the-ground experience in conflict-affected environments as well as recent experience working on US stability and security operations. Prior US military service will be particularly well-regarded. Candidates with overseas experience with the US Department of State, USAID, and other US government civilian agencies as well as returned Peace Corps volunteers are also encouraged to apply. Optimism, patience, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a great sense of humor in the face of adversity are also essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 12 years' professional experience in international development, diplomacy, or defense contexts, of which at least three years should be on the ground in fragile or conflict-affected states in a leadership role.
• Proven ability to engage directly with local populations and partner with host nation militaries, governments, and nongovernmental organizations to solve problems.
• Prior experience and success in representational roles, public speaking, and briefing of senior officials and/or industry/private sector senior leaders.
• At least three years' direct counterinsurgency, stability operations, humanitarian/disaster relief, and/or non-lethal effects experience at the field level.
• Sound knowledge of the culture, history, politics, and security dynamics of the Asia-Pacific based on work or study.
• A solid understanding of America’s three Ds of foreign affairs — defense, diplomacy, and development — and of USG interagency entities, roles, and processes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills.
• A willingness to work outside regular hours to accommodate meetings in different time zones, and willingness to travel frequently within the region.
• Candidates must be U.S. citizens, as this role requires eligibility for a U.S. Government security clearance.

Requirements

• Master's degree (preferred).
• Substantive experience working in a US Embassy, in close collaboration with a US Country Team, in a Department of State/USAID regional bureau, or on a deployed Defense Cooperation or Civil Affairs mission (preferred).
• Previous experience working with INDOPACOM (preferred).
• Prior program/project management experience, including monitoring and managing budget, schedule, and ensuring quality deliverables (preferred).
• Complete fluency in English and proficiency in an Asian language, such as Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or a Southeast Asian language (preferred).

Benefits

• Salary ranges from $145,000 to $170,000 based on experience.
• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 403(b) contribution match to 4%.

Company Description

Spirit of America is a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Our mission is to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. We do this by working alongside US troops and diplomats and providing private assistance to defend freedom, strengthen America’s national security, and save and improve lives.

Spirit of America leverages an unprecedented partnership with the U.S. military based on a groundbreaking agreement with the Department of Defense. Our agreement allows the military to collaborate with us, identify needs, receive and distribute our assistance, and provide us with logistical support. No other nonprofit has such an agreement. Thus, every dollar invested in Spirit of America builds on and leverages investments made by the U.S. government and military. That leverage — combined with our entrepreneurial, venture capital capability — provides philanthropic investments in Spirit of America with asymmetric impact and return on investment.

Our work saves and improves lives, prevents conflict, and strengthens America’s security. In the world’s toughest places, people experience the best of who Americans are and what we stand for.